Night vision goggles are now commercially produced so the general public can use them, in addition to those working in the military and security sectors.

Manufacturers have responded to a growing demand in these items and we stock many items of this type. Indeed, some people shopping for night vision goggles and other related devices may require them solely for work purposes, such as security roles. The goggles work by collecting ambient light in dim to dark conditions via a photocathode tube, which stimulates the movement of particles to provide an image on a special screen.

In particularly dark surroundings, users are free to utilise an infrared illuminator to pick up even more details. A growing number of shoppers are seeing the positive impact that these instruments have on their leisure and sporting activities. Wildlife fans keen to track animals after nightfall can choose from our vast range of products that are designed to help them enjoy their hobby as much as possible. Pest controllers and hunters are free to browse our range of gun sights and night vision monoculars, which many have been treated in order to make them durable in varying weather conditions.

Our store features products from expert suppliers, with shoppers being able to choose between instruments of different generations. Generation 1 is a popular option with night vision fans, as it is the most affordable, while Generation 2 devices tend to have a greater capacity to amplify light. Lastly, Generation 3 instruments usually include a treated inner tube in order to give it a longer life and are often the priciest.

Stargazers and those who enjoy spending time outdoors looking at the flora and fauna may like to invest in a pair of astronomical binoculars.

Many shoppers mistakenly believe that instruments of this kind are ineffective when viewing the night sky. However, improvements in design have lead to the development of powerful devices that can be used to give images of planets. The views may not be as clear as those caught by telescopes designed especially for this activity, but aspects of the skies can be appreciated through them, such as comets. In addition, they can double up as terrestrial viewing instrument, for catching clear sight of land-based objects.

Binoculars also have the advantage they are more portable than larger devices created solely for stargazing. There are a host of models available that can meet these requirements, meaning shoppers are free to invest in one instrument rather than purchasing one for the night sky and another for land images, if they wish. We are well-stocked in astronomical binoculars, which are the choice of many who are just starting to learn about the night sky as they do not need much knowledge to use them.

It is simply a case of choosing the preferred aperture for the kind of activities they are to be used for. Devices with larger apertures tend to let in more light, which may suit those using them mainly for night viewing. If apertures are too low they may not reveal much detail of objects in low-light conditions, but they will provide images with greater all-round clarity.

Last night (25th April) the Stealthcam IR cameras were featured on the BBC Country file program (about 29 minutes in). It was a useful feature showing the type of images that can be gained from these sort of covert IR cameras. It was a little unfortunate that they chose the Stealcam’s as a brand due to their scarcity in terms of stock. If you are looking at finding out what is prowling around in the garden at night or even the day for that mater, then an easier alternative to get your hand on is the Stealthcam range would be the latest models from Spypoint; The range consists of four cameras ranging from true 6 mega pixel up to 12 mega pixel they offer a fast response time (between activation and images being taken). Another newcomer to the market would be the Bushnell Trophy camera which offers 8 mega pixel resolution and is smaller than most other cameras on the market. If you need to know more or want to discuss technical details…give me a call.

When browsing telescopes in order to find the best model, there are several kinds to consider.

There are three main different types of devices used for viewing long distances and starry skies. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses – for instance, some offer greater clarity, but particularly delicate internal mechanisms that can break more easily. We can supply the most commonly used instruments, which are called refractor, reflector or catadioptic telescopes.

Refractor devices have a traditional cylinder shape that contain lens. They are so-called as they bend light entering the instruments towards the telescope eyepieces, which rest at the end of the device. Two lenses are needed to make sure that the different wavelengths combine to produce one clear image. These types of telescopes rely on carefully placed internal mechanisms that may produce rings of colour around objects if they get dislodged.

However, well-cared for instruments can last a lifetime and give superior clarity. Those shopping for affordable devices may like to consider our reflective range. This product line consists of items that feature internal mirrors that bounce light and images to telescope eyepieces located along the length of the telescopes’ cylinder.

The main advantage of these devices is their price, which tends to be less than those charged for refractive types, although care needs to be taken when moving them so mirrors are not misaligned. Finally, catadioptic devices are thought of as a combination of the previous two kinds of instruments. They incorporate mirrors and lenses in order to squeeze light into a small space and wider cylinder, which works well with cameras.

This months BBC Sky at Night magazine includes a Group test of 7×50 binoculars suitable for quick astronomical observations. The winner with a score of 92% was the Helios Fieldmaster 7×50 which we have listed on our website here.

Buying telescopes specifically design for activities, such as bird watching, means nature fans are able to get great views of the animals.

Some prefer monocular types over binoculars, as these often provide great clarity, allowing users to see feather and plumage details they may otherwise miss if they were viewing the creatures through the latter instruments. Devices designed for outdoor use in bright conditions also tend to be favoured over those created for looking at the night sky, as these feature fairly delicate mechanisms that may be affected by poor weather conditions. In addition, some kinds may not have lenses wide enough to emit the light needed to see animals clearly over long distances.

The magnification of bird watching binoculars proves a major draw for nature lovers tracking creatures. The range of devices we have on sale often have wide apertures that bring distant animals close to users, so they get to appreciate clear images. As well as magnification, there are other features of the devices that shoppers may like to consider before going ahead and purchasing one.

For example, size and weight of the instruments could be an important factor if users plan to carry them long distances when tracking creatures. In addition, telescopes of this type come in a variety of forms including those which are angled and others that are termed straight-through. The former are designed to be more comfortable to peer through and when they are stabilised on a tripod, images are particularly clear. On the other hand straight-through types are more portable and can be easily passed between users when necessary.

When investing in astronomical telescopes, it is a good idea to put some money aside to buy products that keep devices in tip top condition.

Instruments often contain delicate lenses that are used to bring in light and magnify images. Spots and specks on glass can severely affect viewing experiences, but with the right products, users are able to clean and maintain their scopes and ensure they are free from blemishes. Manufacturers of such products are constantly improving their range of items created to care for astronomical telescopes, and we have an array of them in stock.

Cleaning accessories for instruments get rid of marks and spots without negatively affecting scopes. Consequently, it is advisable to purchase goods made specifically for this purpose, to limit accidental damage. Telescopes and binoculars that are used outside may attract all kinds of grime and pollen. Specialist cleaning fluids are available to remove these from delicate surfaces and should be chosen over homemade detergents.

To avoid scratching surfaces, owners of telescopes may like to purchase soft brushes that effectively pick up dirt and lint particles, so images remain clear. Others may prefer to invest in blowers, some of which run on gas. These are used in many industries to keep lenses clean as they remove the need to touch surfaces, reducing the chance that they may be permanently marked during the sanitising process.

As well as individual accessories, device users are able to invest in entire cleaning kits that contain many of the items needed to keep instruments working well. These may include blowers, detergent and specially-made cleaning cloths.